Thursday, May 31, 2012

Premier Equestrian Sponsors

Adrienne Lyle

Homegrown In The West: Adrienne Lyle’s Hard Work And Dedication Helps Her Rise To The Top

Hailey, ID – Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, is proud to announce they are sponsoring dressage star and Olympic hopeful Adrienne Lyle. Riding Wizard, owned by Parry and Peggy Thomas of River Grove Farm in Hailey, Idaho, Lyle took the 2012 winter dressage circuit by storm in South Florida, riding away with win after win, including placing first in the Grand Prix Special with a 73.2% at the CDI World Dressage Masters and firsts in the Grand Prix at the CDI 5* West Palm Beach, scoring a 73% in the Grand Prix and a 77.7% in the Grand Prix Freestyle.

“We are very excited to be a part of this amazing story unfolding for Adrienne; she is incredible and so is Wizard,” said Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian. “It’s a natural union for us to partner with Adrienne. Our partnership is especially gratifying because Premier is based in the Western states and has a great interest in promoting and supporting the dressage community.”

In 2008, Lyle and Wizard, a 1999 Oldenburg gelding, set the stage for their future success when they won the Brentina Cup Championship at the USEF National Championships. “The Brentina Cup is named after the Thomas’s horse Brentina, who was ridden by Olympian Debbie McDonald. Premier developed a Brentina dressage arena that Debbie endorses,” Zorn said. “It’s a small world because Adrienne came to the Thomas farm to be a working student for Debbie and Debbie has been Adrienne’s trainer throughout all of her success.”

Zorn added that she has known Debbie McDonald and her husband Bob for over 35 years. “They have been part of our local showing group. With the addition of Adrienne, our ‘out west’ family continues to get worldwide recognition.”

While Lyle and Wizard have spent their fair share of time in the winner’s circle and are poised to be American champions, Zorn said Lyle is far more than just a great dressage rider. “I am so impressed with this young woman. Adrienne inspires me and gives me hope about the next generation of young Americans. Adrienne is hard working, educated, enthusiastic and accomplished. She makes me proud to support our youth and promote our Made in America campaign. Her coach Debbie McDonald is a two time Olympian, Pan Am double Gold medalist and is also the USEF team developing coach. Debbie has a reputation for inspiring, and empowering young riders and woman to great heights and Adrienne is making this statement true.”

Lyle said she is proud to be following in the footsteps of McDonald, as well as trainer Klaus Balkenhol in Germany, learning their classical training philosophies. “We are so pleased to be part of Adrienne’s team. Knowing that she has put so much hard work into her career is amazing. She didn’t start at the top, but she will certainly end up there. She is an additional inspiration to young riders out there because Adrienne didn’t grow up in a top show family, but has still succeed due to her dedication and work ethic, “ Zorn said. “If Adrienne can do it, so can other riders.”

While Lyle and Wizard have a magical partnership and Lyle looks like she has always been part of a top team, her riding life started out far different. “I was born and raised on a small cattle farm on Whidbey Island, Washington. Horses have been in my life ever since I was a little kid, and they have always been my passion and my calling in life. I started out riding western as a young kid, then joined our local chapter of the United States Pony Club and competed in eventing for several years before falling in love with dressage,” Lyle said. “Knowing I wanted to become a horse trainer, I attended Washington State University to study business management and veterinary medicine.

During the summer of 2005, Lyle arrived at the Thomas’s River Grove Farm in Idaho. “I started off as a working student, cleaning tack and grooming horses in exchange for lessons on my horse. Soon this position grew into a full time job, as part of the River Grove Farm team,” she said. “I truly believe I have the best job in the world, and I am eternally grateful for all of the support I’ve received over the years. I will always be happy as long as I continue to do what I love, working with these magnificent animals.”

Now a top United States competitor, Lyle is equally thrilled to be part of the Premier family. “Adrienne is certainly one of the younger dressage riders in America to have had this much success, and we look forward to supporting her as she continues in her career,” Zorn said. “All I can say is, Premier is proud to partner with Adrienne!”

Monday, May 28, 2012

Adrienne Lyle "Homegrown in the west, hard work and dedication rises to the top"

I was born and raised on Whidbey Island, Washington, on a small cattle farm. My love from horses goes back as far as I can remember. They were always a part of my life- they were always my only passion in life. From the time I was young, we always had several ponies and farm horses around, so I spent my days riding around the trails and on the beaches. I remember heading out early every morning, with a sack lunch packed and a group of friends, and riding our horses all day long and well into the night. Often times, even that wasn’t enough, and we would routinely sneak out of the house in the middle of the night and go for bareback “moonlight rides” up into the big hay field or down to the beach.

I originally started out riding western. I enjoyed trail riding and western gaming. Then I switched to English when I joined our local chapter of the United States Pony Club at age 7. I remember showing up for my first dressage lesson with a western saddle on my fat little pony. J I competed in Eventing for several years, as well as Pony Club Mounted Games, but I soon became fascinated with dressage. I would often get “problem horses” given to me to train and I found that, no matter what discipline the horses competed in, they all improved dramatically through dressage work. I began competing at lower level dressage shows around age 13.

Growing up, my only instruction was occasional group lessons through our Pony Club chapter. Then I took lessons from Trenna Atkins and Carol McArdle, in Washington.

My first real “dressage horse” was a thoroughbred mare who was slightly psychotic and very high strung. I bought her sight-unseen from a lady in California, and it was only after I had owned her for a while that I discovered she used to be owned by a rodeo outfit called “Wild Rides Inc.” who used her as a rodeo bucking horse.But, despite her history, she taught me a lot about riding with tactful feel, and taking everything in stride- whether it was wining, losing, or bolting out of the dressage ring mid-test. When I was 16, I got the chance to compete that mare in the North American Junior Dressage

Championships at Paxton Farms, as a member of the United States Pony Club dressage team. I then was able to sell my Thorougbred mare, and I bought a Swedish Warmblood gelding named “Miguel”. With Miguel, we were members of the silver medal team at the 2002 “Cosequin” Junior Dressage Championships, and a member of the bronze medal Region 6 team at the 2004 North American Young Rider’s Championships.

As a small child, Adrienne Lyle visited River Grove Farm in Hailey, Idaho, to watch a horse show. Adrienne Lyle's memories of the trip to the home base of future Olympic dressage rider Debbie McDonald are a little hazy, but one experience there made a permanent impression. Lyle's experiences with dressage rider Debbie McDonald have changed her life forever.

“I remember being led into the ring on the back of a big, beautiful warmblood, and it was all over after that,” says Adrienne Lyle, recalling that she’d been put on the horse for an awards presentation because “everyone knew what a horse-crazy little girl I was. Lyle was excited to be working with Olympic dressage rider Debbie McDonald. In the summer of 2005, I came to River Grove Farm and Debbie McDonald. At the time I was attending Washington State University, studying Animal Science and Business. After being a working student for the summer, I was offered a full time job at Parry and Peggy Thomas’s River Grove Farm, as part of the River Grove Farm team.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Maria Beatriz Hernandez and Bravo Take Home Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award During GCDA Finale I

Wellington, FL (May 2, 2012) – Maria Beatriz Hernandez rode Bravo in the Training Level division during the GCDA Finale I, and her positive attitude and sportsmanlike conduct in the arena earned her the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. Sponsored by Premier to recognize good sports on the Florida dressage circuit, Sportsmanship Award winners are presented with a $100 gift certificate to Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories.

Hernandez and Bravo, a sixteen-year-old Holsteiner, have been partners for three months, and were pleased with their score of 62% in Training Level Test 3. “My ride went pretty well,” said Hernandez. “I asked for the canter in the wrong place and the judge gave me the chance to reattempt it. The second time he was perfect which made me very happy.”

Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian, congratulated Hernandez, saying, “It is so important for a rider to realize when they have made a mistake and to stay positive despite being disappointed. Maria made an error but kept her positive attitude, which resulted in a much improved attempt. We are proud to recognize her and her horse, Bravo."

Premier Equestrian has an active presence on the South Florida show circuit and not only sponsors the Sportsmanship Award at the dressage shows but also at the Winter Equestrian Festival. “We have increased our presence in Wellington because we also supplied the dressage arena equipment and dressage letters at the Global Dressage Festival,” Zorn said.In addition to world-class dressage arenas, Premier Equestrian offers a fantastic line of dressage equipment, jumping equipment, rubber mats, barn and stable accessories, books, DVDs, and footing. “We also carry Walter Zettl’s DVD series ‘A Matter of Trust.’ Walter is a classical dressage master and this four-volume series elaborates on the theory classical masters have used for centuries. Walter’s approach redefines correct training methods, proper movements and carriage of the horse and is a ‘must-have’ for all levels of dressage riders.”

Premier Equestrian also offers a complete line of horse jumps and jumping equipment, including jump standards, gates, walls, jump cups, jump poles, sponsor jumps, and cavaletti. For more information on all Premier Equestrian products, including footing, dressage arenas, jumps and stable accessories, visit their website at www.PremierEquestrian.com or call 800-611-6109.

Wellington, FL (January 25, 2011) Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps and stable accessories, will be giving a hand to good sportsmen and women taking part in the South Florida winter dressage shows by sponsoring a new award, the Premier Sportsmanship Award. The winners of the Premier Sportsmanship Award will not only receive the title and a handshake, but will also take home a pair of German-designed Roeckl gloves.

The Premier Sportsmanship Award will be awarded to a rider who displays a high level of sportsmanship during a show. Whether they win with a smile or lose with a grin, we will be looking for riders who help their fellow horsemen and are, overall, a good sport during the stress of the show day, said Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian. We are excited to award the winner with a pair of Roeckl gloves, a favorite among dressage riders. Roeckl Gloves, which are available at Premiers website and in their catalog, are available in the Regent Glove, an all leather sports design made from buttery soft leather with an elastic wrist and snap. Considered Roeckls most comfortable schooling glove, they are also great for driving. The Chester is a German-designed synthetic leather glove by Roeckl that combines style and versatility and features a textured palm and Velcro brand closure. Many of us have had that experience at a show where we have seen someone go out of their way to help another competitor . . . those are the riders who make all the difference in the world, especially for the person they helped, Zorn said. We want to honor riders with good sportsmanship skills, because at the end of the day that person makes the world a better place.

Premier Equestrian is also dedicated to making the horse world a better place, and does so as Americas leading manufacturer and distributor of dressage arenas. Chosen as an official supplier to the World Equestrian Games, Premier Equestrian supplied the dressage arenas for the World Equestrian Games, as well as the dressage warm-up arena, driving arena, driving warm-up arena and the flower boxes and dressage letters. Our products are world-class and they were very well received by the international dressage community at the World Equestrian Games, Zorn said.

Premier is also a leading supplier of arena footing, and has supplied the new Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex, located in Wellington, with ProTexTM footing for their new 220 x 90 covered dressage arena. Premier Equestrian also offers Prostride Horse Arena Footing

Wellington, FL (April 30, 2012) – Premier Equestrian is a strong supporter of the equestrian community and during the Florida winter show season they are honoring riders recognized as “good sports” with the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. Sponsored by Premier Equestrian LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, the Sportsmanship Award winner receives $100 worth of Premier products.

Jackie Paxton and her horse Dean were in the ribbons in the Prix St. Georges class at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDIW in White Fences, and thanks to Paxton’s big smile and positive attitude the pair also rode away with the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. At the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, Cindy Pronovost and her horse Somajero XII competed in the Wellington Classic Challenge II CDIW and were also honored with the Premier Sportsmanship Award.Paxton’s smile grew even larger when she learned she had won the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award, and she said her secret to being a good sport is enjoying the entire show experience. “It’s such a fun sport and I really enjoy it,” she said. “I enjoy watching everyone go out there and do what we all love in this great sport of dressage. I want to thank Premier Equestrian for sponsoring this award, it really is fantastic.”

Paxton, who was a double Gold medalist at the NAYRC during her Young Rider career, said she was pleased to earn a sixth place in the Prix St. Georges class on Dean with a score of 65%. “Dean was great in the class and really gave it his all. I have owned him for six years and he is a pleasure to work with,” she said, adding that she is now splitting her time between Wellington and the Florida Keys. “I am engaged to a Navy pilot who is stationed in the Keys. His name is Dean Stylianos. When we first met I told him that I had a horse named Dean and I think that won him over.”

Sportsmanship Award winner Pronovost was also thrilled to take home the coveted title. Pronovost is from Quebec, Canada, and spent one month in Wellingotn. “I am loving the warm weather,” she said, adding that she wanted to thank Premier Equestrian for selecting her as a good sport and said she believes showing also needs to be fun. “I competed Somajero at the show at Third Level. He is a PRE and he is about to turn 12. I only started riding him a few weeks ago and the Wellington Classic Challenge was his first time in the show ring.”

Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian, congratulated Paxton and Pronovost on winning the Sportsmanship Awards. “I think Jackie and Cinty are correct in believing that the sport of dressage needs to be fun. In addition to having fun we also need to be nice and polite to our fellow competitors, which Jackie and Cindy both were throughout their respective shows,” Zorn said. “Our goal with the Premier Sportsmanship Award is to reward riders who, although they many not necessarily win that first place ribbon, they are out there giving it their all while also smiling and having a positive attitude that rubs off on others.”

Premier Equestrian has an active presence on the South Florida show circuit and not only sponsors the Sportsmanship Award at the dressage shows but also at the Winter Equestrian Festival. “We have increased our presence in Wellington because we also supplied the dressage arena equipment and dressage letters at the Global Dressage Festival,” Zorn said.In addition to world-class dressage arenas, Premier Equestrian offers a fantastic line of dressage equipment, jumping equipment, rubber mats, barn and stable accessories, books, DVDs, and footing. “We also carry Walter Zettl’s DVD series ‘A Matter of Trust.’ Walter is a classical dressage master and this four-volume series elaborates on the theory classical masters have used for centuries. Walter’s approach redefines correct training methods, proper movements and carriage of the horse and is a ‘must-have’ for all levels of dressage riders.”

Premier Equestrian also offers a complete line of horse jumps and jumping equipment, including jump standards, gates, walls, jump cups, jump poles, sponsor jumps, and cavaletti. For more information on all Premier Equestrian products, including footing, dressage arenas, jumps and stable accessories, visit their website at www.PremierEquestrian.com<http://www.PremierEquestrian.com> or call 800-611-6109

Photo: Dressage rider Jackie Paxton(second from left) with Heidi Zorn of Premier Equestrian (far left). Paxton won the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDIW. Canada’s Cindy Pronovost, and her horse Somajero XII, competed in the Wellington Classic Challenge II CDIW at the Jim Brandon Center and also took home the Premier Sportsmanship Award. Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, jumps, and stable accessories, sponsors the Premier Sportsmanship Award and the winner receives a $100 gift certificate from Premier. (Photo courtesy of JRPR – no photo credit necessary)

Premier Equestrian, LLC Becomes Platinum Sponsor At The Del Mar National Horse Show

Del Mar, CA (April 13, 2012)– Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, is pleased to announce they will be providing the arena footing at the Del Mar Arena at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California. Premier Equestrian will also be a Platinum sponsor of the Del Mar National Horse Show, one of the oldest and more prestigious competitions in the Western United States.

“We are very excited to have a presence at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It is the premier arena and show facility in Southern California,” said Premier Equestrian co-founder Mark Neihart. “Premier has installed the footing in the main arena at Del Mar, which will be a great benefit to all of the riders competing at this fabulous facility.”

Premier features an Arena Footing Division with products that include GGT Footing, ProTex and Prostride Crumb Rubber. “We have installed a blend of GGT Textile Footing with a mixture of sand in the main arena at Del Mar, which will provide superior traction and cushion for the horses competing,” Neihart said. Premier Equestrian will also have a booth at the Del Mar Fairgrounds during horse shows, giving exhibitors and spectators a chance to learn more about different types of footing.

One of the goals of Premier is to educate horse owners and help them understand what type of footing is best. Neihart said it is important to understand the difference between good and bad footing. “Good footing will protect a horse from lameness issues and enhance the horse’s performance by giving the horse a consistent surface to ride on. Cushion, shear prevention and the resulting traction are things to expect from a good footing surface,” he said. “Bad footing is footing that is too hard, too deep or rolls. Bad footing affects the bio-mechanical movement of the horse and can prematurely wear out joints, tendons and ligaments. Some footings can permanently cause lameness.”

This is Premier’s first year as a sponsor at The Del Mar National Horse Show, which last year purchased Premier’s signature “Brentina Dressage Arena” which was used at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the United States Dressage Federation’s National Symposium in 2011. “We love being on both coasts of the United States because not only are we thrilled to be Platinum sponsors at the Del Mar National, but we are also active in the show scene in Wellington, Florida. We are the Official Dressage Arena Fencing Provider of Wellington’s new world-class dressage circuit, the 2012 Global Dressage Festival,” Neihart said.

Premier Equestrian also offers a complete line of horse jumps and horse jumping equipment, including jump standards, gates, walls, jump cups, jump poles, sponsor jumps and cavaletti. For more information on all Premier Equestrian products visit their website at www.PremierEquestrian.com or call 800-611-6109.

Photo: Premier Equestrian is pleased to announce they are Platinum sponsors of The Del Mar National Horseshow at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Premier is a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps and stable accessories, and will be supplying the horse arena footing at the California facility. (Photo courtesy of Premier Equestrian)

Friday, May 4, 2012

Dressage Festival - Dressage Horse Show

Wellington, FL (April 9, 2012)– Fourteen year old dressage rider Natalie Pai was all smiles at the Global Dressage Festival National Horse Show II, and thanks to her positive attitude she rode away with the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at the new state-of-the-art Global Dressage Festival show grounds in Wellington. Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, sponsors the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award.

Pai, who rides out of her family’s Canaan Ranch in Middleburg, Virginia and trains with Lynda Alicki, competed her German Riding Pony Charlie at the show. “I have been riding Charlie for five years and he is now 13-years-old,” Pai said. “I thought our trips went really well. He did great changes.”

As the winner of the Sportsmanship Award, Pai won a gift certificate for $100 worth of Premier products and said she was looking forward to picking something out. “I know Natalie will be able to find a wonderful must-have item on our website or in our catalog,” said Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian. “I want to congratulate Natalie and Charlie on their great show and especially let Natalie know that her fantastic example of sportsmanship didn’t go unnoticed. Being a good sport is a wonderful trait and will make Natalie a better person and a better competitor as she goes through life.”

Zorn said Premier is excited to have a presence on the South Florida dressage circuit. “We sponsor the Sportsmanship Award at the dressage shows at the Wellington dressage shows and at the Winter Equestrian Festival. We also supplied all of the dressage arena equipment and dressage letters at the Global Dressage Festival,” Zorn said. “It has been great to hear so many positive comments about the Global Dressage Festival facility. Premier is honored to have provided the rings for this amazing new international venue.”

While Premier is known for their dressage arenas -- they also supplied the dressage arenas for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky – they are also known for their footing. Their horse arena footing includes GGT Footing, ProTex and Prostride Crumb Rubber. “Premier was responsible for adding the GGT Footing to the arenas at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center for the World Dressage Masters and we also supplied the footing for the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex,” Zorn said.Premier Equestrian has a fantastic line of dressage equipment, jumping equipment, rubber mats, barn and stable accessories, books and DVDs. Premier also sells a complete line of horse jumps and horse jumping equipment, including jump standards, gates, walls, jump cups, horse jump poles, sponsor jumps, and cavaletti.

For more information on all Premier Equestrian products, including footing, dressage arenas, jumps and stable accessories, visit their website at www.PremierEquestrian.com or call 800-611-6109